Northwest NEWS

'Tractor Bob' moves back to his farm

CARNATION--Bob Andrealli, who had to move out of his aging farmhouse after King County condemned it earlier this spring, has moved into a 30-foot travel trailer donated by a Duvall couple.

The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, donated the trailer through the Sno-Valley Senior Center.

The trailer, in "almost-new condition," was placed on Andrealli's farm north of Carnation so he could continue to tend to his cattle and "look after things," said longtime friend Beth Stroh-Stern, who has been helping to coordinate efforts with volunteers who want to help Andrealli fix up his farmhouse so he can eventually move back in.

Volunteers have also been busy cleaning up the farmstead of Andrealli's collection of old machinery, junk cars, and miscellaneous items. "We have been moving out dumpster loads of stuff," she said. "We have 153 volunteers who have signed up to help."

Stroh-Stern said businesses have offered to donate materials to rebuild the house.

Davidson's Lumber has offered timbers for the floor joists, DeBolte Plumbing will do the interior plumbing, Snohomish Lumber will provide cedar shakes, and Evergreen Septic has offered to do a complete septic design and installation. Volunteers are currently looking for someone to jack up the house so a new foundation can be installed.

Stroh-Stern said a benefit put on by the River Run Cafe in April generated $2,500. Other funds that have been contributed amounted to $7,500, which paid the taxes on Andrealli's property, she said.

"The main thing now is that Bob is comfortable, warm, and safe," she said. "We want to help him because he has helped so many people here in the past."

King County condemned his house because it was deteriorating and sliding off the foundation. The square hewn log home was built in 1890.

Andrealli, 75, was ill with bronchial pneumonia when the house was red-tagged. During his recovery, he lived with a friend in Carnation. Residents refer to him as "Tractor Bob" because he drives his green tractor through town on his way to work.

County officials have told King County Council Chair Louise Miller that they will take no action against the property as long as they are satisfied that improvements are being made.

"We are hoping to declare the structure a historic landmark," said Stroh-Stern. "Some of the county landmark people say they have seen buildings in worse condition than this restored. But right now, we just want to restore it to livable condition and are working with the county on the permit process."